ConIFA World Football Cup 2018: Preview

Here's all you need to know about the unique tournament coming to London this summer.What is it?The ConIFA Football World Cup is a tournament for unrecognised states, minorities, people groups and regions that are not affiliated with FIFA. It is the third edition of the tournament, which is effectively a successor to the VIVA World Cup.It is being hosted by Barawa, a team representing the Somalian diaspora in London.Who is taking part? 16 teams have qualified for the tournament. They are Abkhazia, Barawa, Cascadia, Ellan Vanim, Felvidek, Kabylie, Matabeleland, Northern Cyprus, Padania, Panjab, Szekely Land, Tamil Eelam, Tibet, Tuvalu, United Koreans of Japan and Western Armenia. Abkhazia are defending champions having defeated Panjab on penalties on home soil in 2016.

Where are matches being played?Sutton's Gander Green Lane, Bromley's Hayes Lane, Enfield's Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Haringey's Coles Park, Carshalton's Colston Avenue, Rotherhithe's St. Paul's Sports Ground and Bedfont Recreation Ground are all set to host games.Four stadiums outside of Greater London will also host games. Two in Berkshire: Slough's Arbour Park and Bracknell's Larges Lane. Meanwhile Parkside in Aveley, Essex and Meadowbank Stadium in Dorking, Surrey are also set to host matches.A full tournament schedule with venues and option to purchase tickets can be found here. How can I follow the tournament?The National Student is covering the tournament. Over the coming weeks, we will bring you previews of all sixteen teams in the tournament. We will also be providing live Twitter coverage of as many games as possible and arranging interviews with people involved in the tournament. There will also be match reports and summaries of all 48 matches. Image Credit - Geograph. Pexels Image shows Bromley's Hayes Lane Stadium which will host fixtures in the tournament.